Thursday, August 18, 2011

August 15, 2011

Mom, I missed you so dang much this week!!! Gosh I miss you. I can’t believe all the work you guys are doing!!! It’s amazing and send me some pictures of it!!! I want to see the before…construction stage… and after pictures so I can kind of be part of the process!!!
I can’t wait to get my package thanks a ton because this week I ran out of memory. I hope I don’t have to take a lot of pictures this week or I’ll have to delete some cool pictures.
I can’t believe you are putting cement in the back. Are you doing the whole thing of cement???? Or what’s the plan?? What is the end going to be like?? Are we building a deck with a hot tub or swimming pool or what??? I want to know!!!
Anyway, this week was really good I guess. God never ceases to amaze me. It’s amazing how he can make things happen all we have to do is ask. This week we have had a testimony experience of prayer. It was amazing. Every time it blows my mind how God works I feel like I have wasted my whole life not learning anything about the gospel and now I am just scratching the surface of a higher gospel!!! idk it’s amazing and don’t worry mom I’ll remember these momentsJ!!!
That’s cool about the movie maker. I don’t know what I want to do when I get back home. I thought I had it all planned out. Tons of days thinking and planning when I was home but I still don’t know what I want to follow. I know it’s going to come fast but what I want or should do …who knows. I’ll pray about it this week and we will see what Gods plan is for me. I want to go to St. George to play or study…and I know I don’t have that great of grades to just jump full on or get into a big school I don’t think… who knows all this stuff. We will see but by all means make the video so I can have it at the least .
Well, I have to go for now but I love you all so much you have no idea!!! Oh and by the way we didn’t get to see The Ultimate Gift yet, we had technical difficulties with that movie so we are waiting until next week to watch it. However, I think if I watch it I might cry or something haah who knows???
Love your son
Elder Johnston

I miss you so much!!! I am glad you are working hard in the yard!!! Guess what? We have established something way cool here… after working my butt off we finally have established the (Cina De Arrocera) it’s like… the movie theater of the Arrocera. It’s way cool and every Sunday night we have movie night but they are movies of the church like Charly, The Restoration, The Work and the Glory and what we are going to watch next week is….”The Ultimate Gift” !!!!! It was on the church website!!! So we are watching it haha!!! It is sweet!! We started out with two converts at the church and on a normal TV. Now we have popcorn, drinks and a projector that is gigantic!!! Now we have about the same amount of people come as the attendance in sacrament meeting haha!!! It’s funny. I hope our Bishop catches on that we know how to get people to the church. The Lord has blessed us in so many ways. You have no idea. I truly see miracles pass by everyday I’m here.
Well, today we went to the Amazon Jungle haha!!! It is called Soteapan!! It’s amazing!! I want to tell you all about it but I just can’t it’s too long and I have to go to work!!! I promise I will tell you about it in almost 1 year from now. Don’t worry but let me tell you the deep jungles of Mexico are AMAZING!!!! Watch the Planet Earth show then you might see where I went today….It was the coolest thing I have ever done in my life!!!!
You want to know why Mexicans are so good at stealing things and robbing people???? Because they raise them young doing it….Like today…we got robbed by like 6 little kids not even kidding the oldest was like 5 years old and the others are about 3 and 4 years old!!!!! I swear!!! Freaking Mexican Ninos!!!!
Okay well, I am going to go for now but maybe I will send you a picture or something if I have time.
Love your son
Elder Johnston
p.s. I’ll send you this picture of today. It was amazing and this is my new best friend Edwardo and me after giving him a BOM . The rest of the pictures you’ll have to wait to see them.

1) I need memory cards for my camera.
2) I got your package and it was amazing…the best package I have received in my whole life you have no idea!!!! I loved loved loved it!!! I love my pictures!! I hope you have more copies to save . The pictures of the temple and my baptism are so very special to me you will never know!! Someday when I come home maybe!!
3) the direction (address) of the mission changed I’m pretty sure it is…

I’m pretty sure that is it.
As well, I need you to send me more of these labels when you send my next package. They are little stickers and I have already used all I have. I pray you can find more of the same exact size and colors…. If not I am not going to use them. I will send you pictures with all the information.
Well this week was good as well. We have a convert that will baptize his sister this week…that will be really special for me.
As well, this week my comp and I started a movie theater night just like we use to in our house! It is Sunday’s at 7 and everyone comes!! We almost have more people coming to that than to our sacrament meeting haha But it is great and I am directing it. We are watching spiritual uplifting movies from the church but we change the name around to make it sound cooler… Like Transformer Three the Restoration or Harry Potter the Testaments. It’s really cool!! We bring popcorn and drinks just like the movie. Now we found a projector that we can use because it is getting so big and we are going to make it even bigger!!!
Well this week was good again and I will be in heaven if you finish the yard by the time I get home. Like I said it’s not much longer till I’m home…trust me it will fly by!!
I love you tons
Love your son Elder Johnston

Dear Family,
Just to start off that is the second time that you all have said I am sure Terrin told you all about it or I’m sure mom told you’ll about it or Loni told you all about it…and then NO ONE TELLS ME!!! No even writes me anymore.
That’s way cool about your trip to Idaho. I hope you all had a great time. What did Uncle Gary have to say? I hope all is well with everyone and I’m way happy you had a good time.
That’s way cool that you are getting the yard ready. I want pictures of it all!!! No one has sent me pictures of our field, our arena, our house want pictures of everything!!! Send me photos!! and memory cards. This is going to be the new rule I think. For every picture I get you get a picture.
Well, the yard sounds like it’s coming along good. I can’t wait to bring home a big old hammock to put under our new porch we have…. But idk you don’t have a lot of time before I come home to have grass and everything ready. Think about it the time is almost half way over!!! I’m coming home soon.. Best be ready!!

Anyway, this week was okay. It was really hard at times but at other times really good. It was a week filled with spiritual revelation. I guess I will share a story so you can give it to President Pursel like I promised him.

Well, this week was really hard the truth. It’s hard to know what to do sometimes. It is the simplest time of my life right now but then again one of the most stressful as well. It is so hard to know what the people here need and how to find the people who need the gospel of Jesus Christ most in their life. I want to do the best I can for the Lord and I’m trying hard but at times if feels like I just can’t be the best for him. I want to and I try but it is hard. Thinking about what the Lord does for us everyday and then he asks us to do something, and we can barely do it. It’s sad to me, especially when people make promises with the Lord and then can’t keep them. It just breaks my heart to see the in actives and to see them throwing away the most important thing in their life. It really breaks my heart If they could only know a hint of how much the Lord loves them they would change in an instant. The world makes it seem impossible to compete with the Lord’s gospel when actually he has made it really easy for us. I really don’t even know what to say to some people their hearts are so hard and cold; they are so far away from the Lord.
But I am okay, I’m still working hard for the Lord trying to complete his commandments and help people to come unto him. I’m just thankful for all he does for me. How amazing and beautiful it is to have the gospel of Jesus Christ himself here and be part of it and be fulfilling the teachings He taught. This week was good and I will be in prayer until I talk to you again. I love you and stay safe. Stay close to the Lord more than anything.
Love Elder Johnston

Dear Family,
Thank you for everything! You have no idea how much those photos mean to me!!! Thank you a ton. Thank you dad for the line of authority!!
I want to tell you all the stories about these people but idk at times I just can’t do it. It is something sacred and someday I will share these experiences with you in a better form.
This week we baptized 2 kids as well, Rosalino and Arturo. They are great and now have a chance to be raised in the church, serve missions, and be great leaders one day.
These past few weeks have been challenging. For this reason I haven’t written much because time is very, very short. This experience has helped me grow up so, so much and I love how much I am learning here everyday!!! I’m learning how to be like Jesus haha just like the song! It’s really cool and I don’t even want to say anything because anything I say will be an understatement!
I got a picture of you and dad… Holy Moley!!! I don’t even know what to say!!! Where did half of my mom and dad go!?!? I can’t believe it…I thought it was a picture from like 30 years ago!!! No stinkin way!!! It looks.. I don’t even know!!! It’s crazy!! You look great and I can’t even imagine what you will look like when I get home!!! It’s amazing!!! Wow!!
But mom, now you have nothing to defend yourself with!! At least when we wrestle you had the weight advantage… now you don’t even have that!! hahaha!!!
As well, President Pursel wrote me and wants me to write him a story to share with the youth so I will try to think of one to send him.
I love you all so much and I hope all is well. I pray for you everyday and night and I want you to know that I know this church is true. How amazing it is to have the experience that we have to enjoy the gift of life. We can experience things… It’s amazing to me this gift of a body that we have and the creations and adventures of God our Father who is in Heaven….How amazingly beautiful right?!! I love you and I thank you for this opportunity mom and as well my father.

Dear family,
Well all is good here. We had our zone activity today and we actually went to a nice football field and played. It was sweet and I am getting way better at playing soccer haha. Well this week was rough and amazingly good at the same time. When I was in sacrament meeting I felt this burning sensation in my heart of the truthfulness of the gospel and how amazing it is to be a part of this work. I do feel bad for poor Jacob but things will get better for him. He is in the Lords hands. The Lord sent him there for a reason. Maybe it’s not to preach the gospel but to obtain a testimony for himself first. Who knows? But the Lord is working just as hard as everyone of us.
Tell Loni and Lacey Happy Birthday.. I remembered but I can’t write everyone the day of their birthday.
Please mother, I want a picture of my baptism. I will ask every week for a picture of my baptism until I get one so please, as fast as you can send me a picture of my baptism Please Please Please!!! As well, a list of my priesthood. My line of authority. Please… these things are make or break for me right now.
Well, I don’t have hot water here. We have a spigot and the stream stinks. The toilet is broken so I am going to try and fix it tonight,
We lived with an ex-bishop but his familia moved to Mexico City to get away from here because of some stuff that happens here. It is pretty common so they are leaving. We live solo now and the food is the same as what we had before but way worse. I still eat but it is gross. I feel like the Lord, my comp and I are working together and changing the members and the ward. Just since I have gotten here we have increased the ward from 51 to 69 people and I pray it will keep growing. It is hard at times but the Lord is on my side.
As well, you will never guess!!!! But we got a car!!! Sweet huh?? It makes me feel like I’m out in our old backyard again!!
There are a lot of Catholics in Mexico…and idk I guess I am pretty much used to things and I have stories but they are just too long to tell you. The other night a cat broke into our house and I thought it ate our dinner…. I about pooped my pants when I turned the light on . I thought it was a bear or something crazy that was going to eat me!!!
My comp is just like my first comp. They are from the same place. We get a long better but at times he tries my patience. We have two different wards that we work on here and we work half the city or more. There are two gringos in this zone of missionaries.
I love you tons. Please send the pictures and line of authority.
I love you so much
Love your son
Elder Johnston

Well, this week was pretty good, except I have a cold now… imagine that!! I have a cold in this 100 degree heat!!! But it’s just a cold, I’m good. We are teaching this kid right now who works for the Z. He already went to church once and wants to get baptized. It sounds like the setas in English and it’s like the big mafia in Mexico. He is one of the main drug dealers here in Acayucan I guess, and we are teaching him. I think we will baptize him if he can stop doing drugs!!!!
The work is amazing here and I wish I could share all of my stories with you but the truth is it is really, really hard. I don’t ever have time because we are working so hard. We are baptizing every weekend down here and the spirit of the Lord is truly with us.
I love you mom for everything you do for me and stay healthy and safe.
Take these moments in and feel the spirit that is there at camp with you. You are doing the Lords work. I’m really going to miss my mom on my birthday.
Tell President Weed that I sent a note with a guy from here that will be a president of a mission as well and I hope he gets it. If not he will know I tried. I wrote it on the spot like really fast with a page from my agenda.
Tambein…also, tell everyone that there are lots of cool stuff here too buy that I want to get for them but I don’t have any money.
Love
Elder Johnston

Well, I finally know what I want for my birthday…the only thing I really really really want worse than anything is a picture of my baptism… The truth that’s what I want! Any picture that you have of my baptism send it. Send all of them. Especially if you have one with me and dad in our white clothes.
My birthday obviously was not the same without you guys. Without my house and my home and my family. It’s okay though I’m not going to talk about it and we can talk about it when I get home. Time is going so fast here in the mission and everyday I feel like I will be home in no time, now seeing how fast the time has gone by.
Everything is good here. The good news is that I got a new comp in the middle of transfers. We had a special transfer and now my new comp or me know nothing about this area, but we will work hard. His name is Elder Hernandez.
Well, I love you so much and tell everyone thank you for sending me Happy Birthday emails and I pray for them. Sorry I couldn’t write everyone today.
Love your son
Elder Johnston

Sunday, August 7, 2011

June 20, 2011

Well, this week was pretty good, except I have a cold now… imagine that!! I have a cold in this 100 degree heat!!! But it’s just a cold, I’m good. We are teaching this kid right now who works for the Z. He already went to church once and wants to get baptized. It sounds like the setas in English and it’s like the big mafia in Mexico. He is one of the main drug dealers here in Acayucan I guess, and we are teaching him. I think we will baptize him if he can stop doing drugs!!!!
The work is amazing here and I wish I could share all of my stories with you but the truth is it is really, really hard. I don’t ever have time because we are working so hard. We are baptizing every weekend down here and the spirit of the Lord is truly with us.
I love you mom for everything you do for me and stay healthy and safe.
Take these moments in and feel the spirit that is there at camp with you. You are doing the Lords work. I’m really going to miss my mom on my birthday.
Tell President Weed that I sent a note with a guy from here that will be a president of a mission as well and I hope he gets it. If not he will know I tried. I wrote it on the spot like really fast with a page from my agenda.
Tambein…also, tell everyone that there are lots of cool stuff here too buy that I want to get for them but I don’t have any money.
Love
Elder Johnston

Dear Family,
Well, sorry but once again I’m going to be short.
Just so you know I am doing a lot more than just leading the music here. Piano lessons, English lessons, leading the music, training our bishops and mission leaders on how to do their jobs…etc. We are doing so, so much work here and are truly establishing the kingdom of God here in Mexico. The joy I have for this work is amazing and to be part of the volunteers of the Lord is something so amazing I really can’t explain it.
You theme for Youth Conference sounds way fun although one thing about the name is that in this month’s Liahona , if you read it , there is a talk on how we don’t call ourselves MORMONS just to let you know in case you want to change the name. It says that we accept it but don’t call ourselves Mormons.
Well, this area is great and I really don’t have much else to say right now. My comp is a great. A tall Mexican named Elder Robles who likes to work. The areas right now are good for baptizing but they need a lot of work in the wards with leadership training.
I love you tons and when I have more time I will write more.
Love Elder Johnston

Well, I’m short on time like always but this time even more.
When I left my last area I left my book with everyone who signed it, on top of he taxi!!!! It had all the comments of my converts and just about every member from two different wards. I almost cried and it was one of the saddest times in my mission.
A girl there, named Karen, had given me a ton of cool stuff. She is the one who gave me the hand crocheted blue tie in my package and she made me another one… that was white for baptisms as well as a hand made pin and shirt that said “I love Coatza”. She is way cool and will always be a good friend.
My new comp is Elder Robles and he loves to work hard. That’s what I am happy about and we are both ready to work. We are already having a bunch of success here in the new area.
This Saturday we were going to baptize a kid and he is scared of water. I was going to do it so we both got in the water and he went straight to the corner!! Long story short I was in the water for two hours trying to convince him that the water wouldn’t bite him!! My comp got in the water as well. I think it is the closest I will come to swimming on my mission…
This town is smaller and yes foresty. There are lots of hills and I’m truly in hillbilly Mexico haha. It’s actually really sweet here and I can’t wait to buy some stuff and send it to you guys. Everything here is hand made and authentic!! It’s way cool!!
Well, I have to go for now but I will tell you more next week when I have a little more time to write you all.
I’m all good and safe!
Elder Johnston

Well, this week has been really hard but it is all good. I’m glad that I get to go to a different area and start over new with all the things I have learned. Then again it is sad and a little scary to leave all your friends, family and converts here. It is sad that all the hard work that you have done might just be thrown to waste!!! Who knows? I’m leaving like three families who are preparing to go to the temple to be sealed and in one year I will be able to go with them to the temple. We will see what happens but I pray they will stay strong in the church.
This week I saw an alligator right on the side of a river, like five of them. They were just little guys but it still scared the crap out of me.
Now I’m going to this place called Acayucan. It’s right on the border of the mission and one of the farthest away from Villahermosa. My partner who was the zone leader is going to Villahermosa and will be a senior companion.
My new comps name is Elder Roblas another Mexican which I am happy about because I will be able to learn much more with a Mexican Companion. Scared to leave behind my converts but ready as well.
Love
Elder Johnston

Dear Family,
That is so great that Tommy is excited to go, I’m glad he is ready. He will be a great missionary.
I can only imagine how big Ava and Dylan’s party was, gosh I can’t wait to see all the pictures. All I really want is letters and pictures and money haha. That’s it. Here in the mission we don’t have birthdays so just put the money you would have given me in my account. It’s just another day so I’m not worried about it till I get back home. That’s great that the school did so good this year in the AAA. It’s about time. That’s great about Tedford I’m real proud of him.
Well, this week we heard Elder Quinten L. Cook from the twelve apostles and you could feel the presence of the Holy Ghost. I shook his hand and everything. As well, I saw all my friends from the mission because all of us were there.
Changes are this coming up week and I have an interview with the President tomorrow so I’ll probably know if I’m going or staying and what I’m doing then.
As well, I got the package!!!!!! Thank you a ton and the family loved the seeds you gave them. Then in the week the two other missionaries, who are younger than me, ate ALL my cookies without me knowing. So when I got home I really, really let them know what’s up… I saw the tears coming from them when I was yelling at them but that’s a different story. Needless to say they said sorry and bought me a new bag, haha.
I got a letter from Claudia Beckstrand!!!! Tell her I loved her letter and I can’t wait for the next one She is really excited to work with you side by side in the work of the Lord, mom. How much better helper can you get!!!
As well, we baptized this weekend, it was really special. I don’t have a lot of time so I will shorten my story of the week. Our recent convert, Rodrigo has been having trouble lately. We talked in his room and it’s the first time I really cried for one of my investigators. I love this guy so much and it broke my heart to hear his story last night. I feel like Alma when he says he waters his pillow at night for his people. That’s what I feel like.
That’s great what Cody is doing. I hope it all works out great!!! Tell him when I buy my ranch he will have a place to put all of them, haha. Crazy about the horse thing. I know where it came from probably. I think I’m living here in it. The horses here have it tough and I feel so bad for them it’s horrible.

I love you so so much and I can’t wait to talk to you as well. Send me letters!!!!
Love
Elder Johnston